Fifteen Rescued by 669 Unit

After two particularly stressful hours, the 669 Search & Rescue unit was able to extricate all 15 people trapped on a rooftop in Baqa al-Gharbiyye as a result of flooding. The IAF continues to prepare for operations under all weather conditions

IAF Website

IAF flown rescue crews rescued 16 residents throughout last evening. Earlier, in the city of Tayibeh, a citizen was stranded on a car rooftop that was caught in the flood. A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter holding a 669 Search & Rescue crew called to the area rescued the man and transferred him to a medical center. In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, 15 people were trapped on the rooftop of a building, to which they escaped after the field through which they were walking was flooded with water. A CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter holding another 669 crew arrived at the area and successfully rescued all 15 residents.

In light of the turbulent weather, the IAF upped preparations in all bases, and continues to carry out its missions through the winds and rain. “This week, we have been holding constant situation assessments, changing priorities and making decisions concerning activities at the force’s bases”, explained Commander of the Meteorology Center at the IAF, Lieutenant Colonel Eran Baja.